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Newark Orchard School – New School Governor Induction Policy & Procedure – Reviewed January 2017

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New Governor Induction Policy

& Procedure

Reviewed January 2017


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NEW GOVERNOR INDUCTION POLICY AND PROCEDURE

Introduction

This school believes that ‘school based induction’ (and continuing professional development) for new

governors is essential as it ensures that each governor develops their confidence and

skills/knowledge, and is equipped to undertake their duties on the full governing body.

In the long term, it is anticipated that the time spent in providing a good school based induction

(and CPD) will positively influence the retention of knowledgeable, confident and committed

governors for the school.

Recruiting New Governors

Induction is a phased process beginning at the recruitment stage. All individuals seeking a position

on the governing body of the school will be sent an information pack (by the school) to include:-

Governor role profile (to include category of governance, meeting commitment, Governors Code

of Conduct)

School Improvement Plan

The Induction Programme

On appointment of all new governors they will receive an induction tailored specifically to their

individual needs delivered by the following people:

The headteacher Makes initial contact and invites the new

governor to visit

School- tour the school and receive the induction

handbook

The chair of governors The chair. Sends a welcome letter

Introduces the governing body to the new

governor at

the first meeting

The mentor Makes contact with the new governor and

discusses what

kind of support they would like see mentor guide

file 4

The training co-ordinator Makes contact and ensures that the new

governor has received the support as described

in the policy

Monitor the induction process

On Going Induction/Continuing Professional Development

Each governor as part of their commitment to their role must take responsibility for their own

further learning, development/training. Nottinghamshire LA Governor Services provide an in-depth

programme of training, and copies will be circulated regularly. Feedback /reports from training is

given at the full governing body meetings.

Reviewing the Induction Programme

The Strategic Development & Pupils Sub-Committee will keep this policy under review and all

changes will be confirmed by the full governing body.


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Full Name

PICTURE

Address

Postal Code

Telephone Home No.

Telephone Work No.

Mobile No. Email Address

Do you have children in school? ** (please delete as applicable)

Yes/No

Which year group(s)

How would you describe your ethnicity?

What are your particular areas of interest and skills (eg in schools, work, voluntary, hobbies)?

When were you appointed as a governor?

Governor type** LA Parent Staff Community

Describe the induction and or support you received on your appointment to the Governing Body

Member of which committees (please √ all that is relevant)

Finance and General Purposes

Pupils and Personnel

Strategic Development

What do you feel are the main skills/knowledge and or strengths you offer to the governing body?

What governor training/ learning opportunities have you accessed to date?

What future training/ learning do you feel you need?

Data Protection: All information provided will be treated in confidence, in accordance with the Data

Protection Act 1998 and may be used for the purposes of contact to assist the allocation of members to

named governor roles, committees, or working groups as representatives of the governing body or for the

purposes of consultation in your role as governors.

New Governor Profile Record


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Details of New Governors

Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss/Dr Please delete as

applicable

Full Name

Date of Appointment to Governing Body

Date Induction Completed

Induction Undertaken

By

Checklist

Task Who’s Responsible

Date Completed

Recruitment Information pack (given to all applicants)

Headteacher

Explanation of governor’s role Governors Code of Conduct

Headteacher

New Governor is elected or appointed

Name & Address given to chair of Governors Training Co-ordinator notified of newly elected/appointed governor

Headteacher

First Contacts

Contact made Tour of school Mentor

Headteacher

Induction programme information pack given and explained

Headteacher/Training Co-ordinator

Pack to include: Handbook

Training co-ordinator/ Chair/Headteacher/ Mentor

Task Who’s Responsible

Date Completed

Interim Induction Programme

Letter of Welcome/Contact from the Chair of Governors

Chair

Introduction of Mentor

Training Co-ordinator/Chair

Information about school governorship

Training Co-ordinator/Mentor

School Based Induction Programme For New Governors Monitor


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National Induction and Accessing Continuous Professional Development

Training Co-ordinator

Attention drawn to Nottinghamshire LA governor support services Nottinghamshire Association Governors (NAGs), National Association of School Governors

Training Co-ordinator

Overall views of the new governor on the induction programme.


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New governor welcome letter or script for first phone or email contact

Amend as appropriate

Dear …..

We are very pleased to welcome you to our governing body

The next meeting is

Please phone Margot Tyers, our Head Teacher, to arrange to visit the school and collect the school

governor induction handbook

Our Governing Body is supported by Nottinghamshire County Council Governor Services. You will

receive a welcome pack from them and will be encouraged to attend the national induction

programme within the first twelve months of your appointment.

Your governor mentor is……………………………

Please feel free to phone me on 01636 682255 before the meeting to have an informal chat

We are all looking forward to meeting you.


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Newark Orchard School

Governing Body

Induction for new Governors

Every new governor should be given the completed induction guide and:

the latest copy of the Guide to the Law for School Governors

Website address

the school improvement plan/action plan

termly planner to include events and activities planned throughout the year and school visit

code.

linked to a named mentor

offered a place on the LA national induction programme

The welcome pack from Governor Services contains welcome letters from the Secretary of State

for Education and the chair of Nottinghamshire Association of Governors and a governor trigger

pack.

Who’s who on the governing body

Name Category End Date

Mrs Laura Redfern Chairperson Parent representative Mr Malcolm Ellison Co-opted representative

Mr Tony Burroughes Co-opted representative

Mr Keith Monk Parent representative

Mrs Claire Hunsley Parent representative Vacancy Chairperson LA representative Mrs Chris Maxwell Co-opted representative

Ms Jane Starbuck Co-opted representative

Mrs Sarah White Staff representative

Mrs Lisa Williams Co-opted representative

Mrs Margot Tyers Staff/Head Teacher

Chair of governors Mrs Laura Redfern

Vice-chair of governors Mrs Chris Maxwell

Clerk to governors Mr Dennis Baker

Committee chairs:-

Finance & Personnel Committee Mr Malcolm Ellison

Strategic Development & Pupils Committee Mrs Lesley Booth

Performance Management Committee Mrs Chris Maxwell

Training co-ordinator Mrs Sarah White

Your mentor on the governing body is*


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Introduction to governance

Welcome to the governing body of Newark Orchard School. We have a governing body of eleven

members and you will have joined as a representative in one of seven categories. The categories of

governor are as follows:-

Parent Parent governors are elected by members of the parent community. You must have legal parental

responsibility for a child registered as a pupil at the school. If insufficient parents stand for

election, the governing body can appoint parent governors. You are disqualified from standing as a

parent governor if you are employed to work at the school for more than 500 hours in a school year

(at the time of election) or if you are an elected member of the Local Authority (LA).

Staff Staff governors are elected by all staff, either teaching or support staff. The Head Teacher is a

member of the governing body by virtue of his/her office and counts as a member of the staff

category. If the Head Teacher chooses not to be a governor he/she must make this known in

writing to the clerk to governors and the governing body will carry a vacancy in the staff category.

The other places in the staff category are for one teaching and one non-teaching representatives.

If insufficient teachers come forward for election, the position can be offered to non-teaching

representatives, or vice-versa.

Staff who are eligible to be staff governors (paid to work at the school) are not eligible to serve as

LA or community governors at this school. If you are paid to work more than 500 hours per year at

the school, you are not eligible to be a parent governor at this school.

LA This category of governors is appointed by the LA. You are disqualified from being a governor in

this category if you are eligible to be a staff governor at this school.

Community

Community governors are appointed by the governing body to represent the wider community served

by the school. Governing bodies are encouraged to recruit representatives from local businesses

and charitable organisations. This category can include parents but not members of staff,

registered pupils or elected members of the LA. Appointments are made by nominations and voting

by all governors at the full governing body meeting.

Associate Members Associate members are appointed by the governing body to serve on one or more committee(s) and attend full governing body meetings. The governing body decides if associate members have voting rights in committees but they do not have voting rights in full governing body meetings. Associate members are not governors.

Rules and regulations

As a governing body, we are subject to legislation set by the Government through the Department

for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Details of all rules and regulations covering governance

and school management can be found in “A Guide to the Law for School Governors”. If you have

not received a copy of the guide from school, it can be obtained from The DCSF Publications

Centre, telephone number 0845 602 2260 or email [email protected]. It is not our intention to

repeat these regulations, but what follows may offer some basic assistance, information and

guidance to new governors.

Clerk to governors

mailto:[email protected]


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It is a legal requirement that all governing bodies employ a clerk to governors. The clerk is

responsible for calling all meetings of the full governing body and ensuring that agendas and papers

are circulated to all members in good time for the meeting. The clerk is also there to offer legal

advice, guidance and assistance to governing bodies to ensure that all legal acts are complied with.

Chair of governors

It is a requirement that the governing body should elect a chair and vice-chair. At Newark Orchard

School we have decided that the position of Chair of Governors will be for a period of one year.

Elections for chair and vice-chair are usually held in the autumn term.

The Chair of Governors works with the school and Head Teacher and is an ex-officio member of all

committees.

Vice-chair

The vice-chair acts as Chair in the absence of the Chair of Governors and is also an ex-officio

member of all committees.

Quorum

The quorum for a full governing body meeting is 50% of governors in post. Vacancies are not

included in the calculation. Decisions to be taken by vote must be determined by a majority of

votes of those present and voting. If there are an equal number of votes, the chair has a casting

vote. The quorum for committees is three governors who are members of the committee.

Mentoring

There are currently four experienced members of the governing body who are able to provide

mentoring to newly elected/appointed governors. We feel that in order to provide you with

adequate mentoring, a mentor should take on a maximum of two governors at any one time. We will

provide mentoring to you for as long as you feel you require this. The mentoring can take the form

of an initial meeting with your mentor and then you will be able to approach him/her for whatever

guidance/explanations/assistance you require. We feel that this should be as informal as possible

and should not aim to take over from the governor training provided by the LA. It is an additional

source of information/clarification. If you feel that you would like to take up the offer of

mentoring, please do not hesitate to speak to the headteacher or chair of governors.

Meetings

The full governing body meets once per term. However, additional ‘special’ meetings can be called if

necessary. It is not always possible to call meetings of the full governing body to ensure decisions

are taken in emergencies. The chair or vice-chair is given emergency powers and must report any

actions taken to the full governing body at the earliest opportunity.

Each committee should meet at least once per term, or more often if required.

Members of the governing body will receive the agenda and supporting minutes and papers at least

seven days before the date of the meeting. If a member wishes to place an item on the agenda,

this should be brought to the attention of the chair of governors or headteacher three to four

weeks before the date of the meeting. The person(s) making the request should provide a reason

for the inclusion of the item. This timescale will allow the chair and/or headteacher sufficient time

to arrange to include this item on the agenda and also to provide any information/replies required.

Any Other Business is not recommended on the agenda because members of the governing body

should be allowed the opportunity to prepare for any questions/queries being raised.


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Training and qualifications

There are no formal educational qualifications required to become a governor. However, no-one is

expected to undertake this most valuable voluntary job without support and training. The LA has a

governor services section, which provides governor training.

When you receive your package of information you will receive a copy of the Governor Training and

Development prospectus and the Nottinghamshire Governor with the At A Glance Guide which

contains details of induction courses. These are designed specifically for new governors and cover

the whole range of issues you will meet as a governor. Please try to attend the induction course as

it provides you not only with valuable information, but you will also meet other new governors and

have the opportunity to exchange ideas and views. The induction course is nationally recognised and

accredited.

To organise governor training, please telephone the number provided in the Governor Training and

Development programme. Alternatively you can contact Sarah White who is our governor training

co-ordinator. We are not limited to the number of representatives who may attend. If you wish to

go with governor colleagues, please do so. When you attend a course, please let Sarah White know

in order that he/she can keep our governor training record as up-to-date as possible.

The only specific qualities you need are:-

an interest in the education and wellbeing of our children

a willingness to ask questions – don’t be afraid to ask if you are unsure of anything

the time commitment to attend the termly meetings of the full governing body and to be a

member of at least one committee. Absence from meetings for six months without consent of

the governing body could result in your removal from the governing body

a commitment to be part of a team which, by working together, can make a real difference to

the school.

Please don’t be put off by the jargon we use. A glossary of terms is available on the governors’

website.

What we do

Ofsted classes the governing body within the leadership and management of the school. However,

it is important to remember that governors do not manage the school. That is the job of the head

teacher and management team. Governors are there to be “a critical friend” to the head teacher

and the school.

We are there to support the head teacher and staff but we are also there in a monitoring capacity,

asking relevant questions such as ‘Is it working?’ ‘How do we know it is working?’ ‘If it isn’t working,

what can we do?’ ‘How can we get better?’

How we work together

There are some general principles which inform the work of governing bodies. These are widely

accepted and are known as the code of conduct. Our school subscribes to these principles which

are as follows:


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supporting the aims and objectives of the school

working co-operatively with other governors in the best interest of the school

attending the meetings of the governing body and its committees

promoting the interest of the school in the wider community

each having an equal right to participate and to state our views whilst respecting the views of

others

being loyal to the decisions made by the governing body

respecting the confidentiality of those items of business that have been designated as

confidential. (We agree not to disclose what individuals have said or how they have voted)

withdrawing from meetings where we have any direct personal interest in the business being

discussed

participating in training and development.

Committee structure

The work of the governing body is wide-ranging. There are, therefore, committees which have

specific areas of work delegated to them. These committees meet at intervals during the term and

report back to the full governing body for ratification of their decisions. The full governing body

approves the membership of each committee. This is usually carried out at the autumn term

meeting. Changes to membership can only be made at a meeting of the full governing body. Newark

Orchard School has a committee structure of three committees. These are:-

Strategic Planning & Development

Finance & Personnel

Performance Management

New Governors are encouraged to get to know the work of the different committees by shadowing

some of the meetings

Policies

Policies are written to enable the school to monitor all aspects of school life and governors may be

involved in the writing and updating of these documents. Each curriculum subject also has its own

policy document. All policies are kept in the school. They can be found in a policy folder in the

school office and can be borrowed by governors.

The monitoring role of the governor bodies is undertaken through the work of link or named

governors. The roles of these governors are decided on according to the school’s specific

improvement priorities. Link or named governors work with school staff, they visit school and report

back to the committee or governing body on progress.

Appendix 2- A template for recording link governor classroom visits and a visiting policy

Visits to school

The very best way a governor can get to know the school is to visit. Governors are very welcome and

encouraged to visit our school. There will be many events during the school year to which governors

are invited. If you want to arrange a “getting to know the school” visit, speak to the Head Teacher

in the first instance to discuss your visit. Governors are encouraged to become link governors and

to monitor an area of the curriculum or other aspect of school life. Please refer to the Link and

Monitoring Governor School Visits Schedule.


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Please remember that governors are not visiting the school in the role of inspectors. All staff at

Newark Orchard School are more than willing to invite us to their classrooms, and will give every

assistance.

You should produce a short report of your visit for the governing body. Comments should be brief

and aim to be positive. If you have any queries, these should be addressed to the Head Teacher.

Decision making

All members of the governing body have a right to be involved in the decision making at meetings

unless they have a personal gain or financial advantage in the outcome of the decision. Please

remember that once a decision has been made, it is final and binding. We operate as one body and

accept the decisions made by the majority regardless of our personal views/opinions. All decisions

made are corporate decisions. If there is a “tied vote” the chair has a casting vote.

Confidentiality

All governors need to understand the principle of confidentiality. There may be confidential items

discussed at governing body meetings and individual governors may be involved in confidential

meetings. If an item is deemed to be confidential, it must not be discussed with anyone outside the

meeting.

Suspension of governors

The governing body can suspend governors if they breach the rules of conduct. The Guide to the

Law gives full details of procedure.

Useful addresses

The following organisations offer advice to governors:

Governor organisations

NAGs Nottinghamshire Association of Governors

Meeting dates are advertised in the Nottinghamshire Governor magazine

NGA National Governors Association

Offers membership to governing bodies and to individual governors. Acts as a national voice for all

governors. Provides regular newsletters and papers on topics relevant to governors; helps manage

Governorline. There are also several local associations.

NGA, 2nd Floor SBQ1

29 Smallbrook Queensway

Birmingham, B5 4HG

Tel: 0121 643 5787

Fax: 0121 633 7141

E-mail:

Website:

Governorline 08000 222181


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Organisations for parents and governors

ACE Advisory Centre for Education

ACE “presses for a fairer and more responsible education system” and gives free advice to parents

and children in state schools. They issue books and periodicals.

1c Aberdeen Studios

22 Highbury Grove

London, N5 2DQ

Tel: 020 7354 8318/020 7354 9069

Freephone advice line: 0808 800 5793(2pm– 5pm Mon – Fri)

Exclusion information line: 020 7704 9822

Website: www.ace-ed.org.uk

Government and other national organisations

There is a link from the DCSF homepage to the governors’ section. The direct address is

www.governornet.co.uk

EOC Equal Opportunities Commission

Arndale House

Arndale Centre

Manchester, M4 3EQ

Tel: 08456 015901/0161 838 1733

E-mail: [email protected]

Ofsted Office for Standards in Education

Alexandra House

33 Kingsway

London, WC2B 6SE

Tel: 020 7421 6800/020 7421 6707

E-mail: ofsted.gtnet.gov.uk

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

QCA Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

83 Piccadilly

London, W1J 8QA

Tel: 020 7509 5555/020 7509 6666

E-mail: [email protected]

Useful internet sites and email addresses

The school www.newarkorchard.notts.sch.uk

Email addresses for the head teacher and the school office are:

Head Teacher: [email protected]

Town Site: [email protected]

London Road Site: [email protected]

http://www.ace-ed.org.uk/

http://www.governornet.co.uk/


http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/






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Nottinghamshire County Council – www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

Governors can access Wired (http://wired.nottscc.co.uk/) from home PCs by obtaining a personal

user name and password via school. Access rights need to be set at school to allow access to the

‘Management’ area, which relates to school governor areas.

Audit Commission – www.schools.audit-commission.gov.uk

A special site on school finances. Consists of three parts – Comparing School Finances – lets you

compare your school’s expenditure with that of similar ones; Controlling School Finances –

interactive pages that let you compare your financial arrangements against approved standards;

Managing School Resources – interactive pages allowing you to compare yourself against good

practice in the strategic management of resources.

Ofsted – www.ofsted.gov.uk

Contains a copy of every Ofsted report, which you can download.

http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/

http://wired.nottscc.co.uk/

http://www.schools.audit-commission.gov.uk/

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/


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Appendix 1

Staffing List This document will be reviewed every year

NAME POST RESPONSIBILITIES Margot Tyers Head Teacher Self -Evaluation

School Improvement Strategic Development Policy & Procedure Safer Recruitment Future Proofing Monitor Safeguarding Procedures Whole School Budget Admissions SLT Appraisals Whole School Attainment & Progress Lesson Observations Life after Levels Accountability Succession Planning Human Resources Pupil Moderation Countywide Representation

Leanne Hurdle Deputy Head Teacher (Town Site) Children in Care Monitoring impact of Pupil Premium, Sports Grant & Yr 7 Catch up Extended Schools Town Site Designated Child Protection Officer PDRs Multi agency Liaison Induction, support, monitoring staff Pupil Welfare (Attendance, Interventions, Personalisation, Prevention, Analysis & Reporting EHC Reviews Health & Safety Risk Assessments Department Budget Appraisal Work Scrutiny & Learning Walks Curriculum Offer Staff Meetings Prospective Parent visits T&L Meetings

Lisa Williams

Deputy Head Teacher (London Road Site)

Equality & Discrimination Evolve Parent Liaison Titan Work Related Learning Monitoring Website Accreditation


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Lisa Williams (Cont’d) Deputy Head Teacher (London Road Site)

London Rd Site Designated Child Protection Officer PDRs Multi agency Liaison Induction, support, monitoring staff Pupil Welfare (Attendance, Interventions, Personalisation, Prevention, Analysis & Reporting EHC Reviews Health & Safety Risk Assessments Department Budget Appraisal Work Scrutiny & Learning Walks Curriculum Offer Staff Meetings Prospective Parent visits T&L Meetings

Rebecca Turner Education Health Leader Whole School CPD (Organisation & Communication) M&H Budget CPD Budget Student Placements Health Trust Liaison Staff Wellbeing Departmental Designated Child Protection Officer (3-14 Department) PDRs Multi agency Liaison Induction, support, monitoring staff Pupil Welfare (Attendance, Interventions, Personalisation, Prevention

Jim McEwen Team Leader (3-14) Contribute towards department meetings and

lead when appropriate

Timetabling

Day to day organisation

Organisation of daily staffing requirements

Contribute to induction of new teaching staff

PPA organisation

Ryan McWilliams Team Leader (3-14) Department Meetings

Timetabling

Inclusion & transition

Monitoring planning

School Council

Kelly Jones Team Leader (14-19) Department Meetings

Timetabling

Monitoring planning

Transition & inclusion in school

School Council

Moyra Mathews

Team Leader (14-19)

Contribute towards department meetings and

lead when appropriate


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Moyra Mathews

(Cont’d)

Team Leader (14-19) Timetabling

Day to day organisation

Organisation of daily staffing requirements

Contribute to induction of new teaching staff

Transition leaving school

Sarah Clay

Liam Enright

Kate Fell Heather Keating Clare McGachan Claire Myers

Jantine Nusselder

Craig Porter

Janet Richardson

Robert Sutton Angela Wilson

Teaching Staff

Healthy Schools

Sharon Warwick Senior Personalised Education

Assistant

Emma Collins

Michele Emery

David Harrison

Personalised Education Assistants

Margaret Andrews

Cynthia Nelson

Claire Hyland

Estelle Adcock

Pauleen Johnson

Senior Teaching Assistants Horticulture

Transport

Transport

Transport

Medical Liaison

Sue Sherwood

Lee Sizer

Specialist Teaching Assistants Life Skills

Sport

Jean Cottell

Paul Housley

Theresa Hunt

Trish Lambert

Sarah Leyland Susan McNish Katie Prestage

Susannah Stokes

Melissa Tatley

Janet Tindall

Stacey Town

Sally Wakefield

Sarah White

Teaching Assistants (L4)

Sally Baker Sophie Bilton

Paulette Bokula Rachael Chambers

Hannah Eagleton

Catherine Hawksworth

Andrew Holmes

Zoe Marshall

Catherine Mason

Séan O’Sullivan

Jo Roberts Sam Sizer

Debbie Yates



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Helen Eason

Cherry Mills


Tammy Bevan Health Care Assistant

Christine Barratt Debbie Clark Sharon Duckworth Lesley Hind Donna Hyland Tracey Marriott Rachel Munday Jane Phillips Dianne Ridyard Alison Winfield Sarah Worsdall

Personal Care Assistant

Helen Langlands Midday Supervisor

Clare Stokes School Business Leader Whole School Health & Safety (Buildings) CPD (Site & Admin Team) Management of Site team, Admin Team & Catering team Manage Admin Systems Site Management Whole school budget management Induction, support & monitoring of Site, Catering & Admin Team DBS Checking Maintaining Single Central Record NASBM(Networking)

Julie Horseman

Administration Assistant BMS (Staffing) Website Admin (Governors) Admin Support

Susan Wing Data & Finance Assistant Data Collection & Returns Finance Support Admin Support

Jeannette Jones Administration Assistant EHC Plans Admin Collating & Reporting on Pupil Attainment Data Admin Support

Ellie Bravery Administration Assistant General Admin Support Assisting with EHC Plans (admin)

Paul Housley ICT Technician Servicing & Maintenance of ICT Equipment for

Curriculum

Installation of Software

General Technical Support

Marie Thomas

Catering Manager

Management of School Kitchens

Provision and Service of School Meals

Provision of External Catering

Food Health & Hygiene

Performance Review of Kitchen Staff

Mandy Wood Assistant Cook Assisting Catering Manager

Deputising for Catering Manager


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Velma Barry Khrystyna Hrytsyk Jane Radforth

Kitchen Assistants Assist with Food Preparation and Service

Cleaning of Kitchen

Linda Allsop

Senior Caretaker

Security Mandatory Building & Facilities Checks Lighting Heating Cleaning Directing NCC Staff Opening/Closing Building for Saturday Club

Amanda Bird Caretaker Security Lighting Heating Cleaning

Stuart Scarborough Driver/Site Assistant Home/School Transporting

General Driving Duties

Building Maintenance

Grounds Maintenance


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Appendix 2

Link and Monitoring Governor School Visits Schedule

This document will be reviewed every year

Area on School

Development Plan

Link Governors

Contact in School

Date due Agreed date of Link visit

Date the report was received

Date reported to Governing Body

Assessment Improvement

Area 1 Key Actions

Tony Burroughs

Claire Hunsley

Lisa Leanne

October May

Teaching and Learning

Improvement Area 3

Key Actions

Chris Maxwell

Keith Monk

Leanne Lisa

October June

Quality Assurance

Improvement Area 2

Key Actions

Laura Redfern

Ano

Margot Lisa Leanne

November April

Personal development, safety and behaviour

Ofsted Criteria for Outstanding

Jane Whitling

Laura Redfern

Rebecca Margot

September February

Core Subjects

Improvement Area 4

Malcolm Ellison Lisa

Williams

Jantine Rob Janet Ryan

Autumn Term

Head Teacher’s

Performance Management

Tony Burroughs

Chris Maxwell

Margot December May

Governor Training Termly

reports to Full

Governors Who, What,

Impact

Sarah White

Rebecca Autumn Spring

Summer


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Appendix 2(a)

Governors Link Visit

Subject …………………………………… Teacher ………………………………………….

Name of Governor………………………………………. Date of Visit ……………..……..

Comments:

Other Issues:

Signed: ……………………………………………………. Print: ……………………………………………………. Date: …………………………………………………

‘Individual Growth, Individual People’

Head Teacher: Mrs M A Tyers


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Guidance for governors visiting the school

Before you visit school

clarify the purpose of the visit. Is it linked to the School Improvement Plan? How does this

effect what you’re going to see?

discuss an agenda with the head teacher well in advance. Make sure that the date chosen is

suitable for the purpose of the visit

find out if there is a prompt sheet/checklist, agreed by staff and governors, to guide

governors’ visits

time permitting, discuss the proposed agenda with any staff involved. How do they want

governors to fit into the lesson?

be clear beforehand exactly what you are there to see. Try to prepare questions for staff in

advance. The teacher may be able to guide you on this

discuss with the head teacher if any supporting information is available – Ofsted report,

improvement plan, performance data.

During

Be punctual, keep to the agreed timetable but be flexible

decide with the teacher how you will be introduced and what your role in the classroom will be

get involved with the children if the teacher has agreed that this would be appropriate

remember it is a visit not an inspection

observe discreetly. Remember that note-taking can be disconcerting

don’t distract the teacher from his/her work but be prepared to talk and show interest

be courteous, friendly not critical, interact, don’t interrupt

remember why you are there. Don’t lose sight of the purpose of your visit

listen to staff.

After

Discuss what you have observed with the teacher. Use the opportunity to clarify any issue you

are unclear about. For example, did your presence have any impact on the atmosphere in the

classroom? If so, how?

refer to the purpose of the visit. Consider together whether it has been achieved

thank the teacher for supporting you in your role as a governor. Be open, honest, positive

make notes as soon as possible after your visit while it is still fresh in your mind

discuss your observations with the head teacher. Be prepared to take the comments of others

on board

agree with the head teacher how and when you will report on your visit to the governing body

write up your report and circulate a draft to the head and any staff involved. Be prepared to

amend it. Aim to achieve a report that is agreed by those involved

New Governor Mentor Guide

Mentoring is a useful way of providing new governors with the benefit of the knowledge, experience

and support of experienced governors. It enables new governors to get to know the school and

other governors and so become actively involved much more quickly.

Make contact with the new governor


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If possible phone them before the first meeting. Introduce yourself and try to find out what kind

of support the new governor would prefer.

Usually at any point within the first twelve months of being a governor any support you can offer

will be seen as a bonus. Remember what it felt like when you were a new governor. Improving the

life chances of our children is one thing all governors have in common and anything you can do to

strengthen the commitment of a new governor has to be worth it long term.

The New Governor Induction Handbook

If you already have one in your school, ask for a copy of the new governor induction handbook. First

look through and check it is up to date. If it needs updating don’t abandon it but speak to your

training co-ordinator, work through the version you have and make the changes as you go along.

This will not only provide a useful framework to work through together, but you will have updated it

for the next new governor.

Visiting the school

Arrange with the Head Teacher for the new governor to meet staff and children at school.

If they have difficulty in getting time off work during the school day for governors duties, allow

them to discuss options; for example

The chair of governors could write a supportive letter to the employer

OR

Arrange for the new governor to attend one of the whole school events that take place in the

evening

Agenda

Brief them about the background of the business on the agenda or work through school documents

and policies with them. Be ready and willing to answer questions.

Being a governor mentor can be a very rewarding role!

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